Muslim Minorities in China

There are ten Muslim minorities in China, of which the most populous and important (in terms of their impact on China's history, contemporary politics, and society) are the culturally Chinese Hui and the Turkic Uighurs. The total population of the ten Muslim minorities is just over twenty‐three million (2010 Census). Almost all Muslims in China are Sunni. In general the Muslim minorities have been loyal to the Chinese state since 1949. The main exception is the Uighurs, among whom separatist movements, beginning in 1990, have increased in number. Relations between Uighurs and Han have worsened since the 1990s. Violent rioting reached a climax in July 2009 and violent incidents have continued since then.